Crystal-like tears ran silently down the item's face.
The awkward silence was cut through by the final winner who bought Isaiah.
"You sure this kid is 18?" he said. The final winner was the same merchant who was new to the empire but when money talks, familiarity means nothing.
The man just looked at Isaiah as he spoke "He turned 18 today."
Even though Isaiah's eyes were no longer covered, he dared not to look anywhere but the floor. Not because of fear but because of the betrayal of the very person he had trusted for 2 whole years.
2 years ago
"I caught a few fish... You want them?" Isaiah's eyes were covered in nervousness.
He knew fully that the man in front of him had not eaten anything except fruits until now.
He looked at Isaiah as he said "Okay and good job!" Isaiah's face lit up as his efforts were recognised.
After the beast attack in the village, Isaiah had nothing. Not to mention that his back was terribly injured. He wandered from hill to hill for almost a month. Later, the same man who had defeated the snake-like beast crossed paths with Isaiah again and, out of pity, took him in.
"My name is Lucien." The man said calmly while carrying Isaiah on his back.
Isaiah was in a daze. He had not eaten anything for over a month.
Lucien found a empty cave in midst of the forest. He gently put Isaiah down as he pulled out a piece of bread from his bag.
"Eat this." He said while giving it to Isaiah. Isaiah slowly took the bread and started eating it bit by bit.
At this point, he didn't know if he should be happy that he survived or scared that he had no idea if he would be able to survive in the future.
Lucien just stood there, waiting for Isaiah to finish that bread.
"You want some water?" Lucien asked as he pulled out his water bottle. Isaiah nodded and took the bottle to drink.
As Isaiah finished drinking, he quietly thought to himself 'Why did he save me?'
And as if Lucien could hear Isaiah's thoughts he said
"A young fellow like you dying would be such a pity!"